How to Do a Backspin

Also try: How to Breakdance

Guide Note: The backspin is synonymous with breakdancing, and surprisingly, it's not that hard to do. How to Do a Backspin will teach you how to safely execute the move.

For a full introduction to breakdancing, see Mahalo's How to Breakdance.

Other Breaking Moves:

Introduction

Breakdancing is a virtuosic and exciting form of dance. While it is also an improvisatory form of dance, there are some basic moves that have been passed down from dancer to dancer and standardized. One of these moves is the backspin. The backspin is a classic. If you were a kid in the early 80s, you may have tried it a few times yourself. This guide will get you back in touch with your inner b-boy or b-girl by breaking down this textbook move into a few easy steps.

Before You Begin

Breakdancing is an athletic form of dance. If you're new to breaking, consider working with a teacher at a dance studio or gym. If you're on your own, takes things very, very slowly and keep the following preparation tips in mind:

(Creative Commons photo by Jonas Bengtsson)

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Breakdancing requires a lot of squatting and loose-limbed movements. Be sure you're ready to move without splitting your pants.
Wear protective gear. If you're trying on-the-floor moves for the first time, wear knee and elbow pads to protect your joints.
Practice on a wood floor or mats. You can't breakdance on carpet. You need a slick surface that allows you to glide and spin.
Warm Up. You need to get your muscles warm and your heart pumping before you begin any serious work-out, and breakdancing is a serious work-out.
Work out your arms and abs. Most breakdancing power moves and freezes require strong arms and abs. Visit your local gym, and ask for help identifying exercises that will help strengthen your biceps, triceps and abs.
Find a breakdancing class. Breaking has been around long enough that it has become institutionalized to a degree. Most large to medium-sized cities will have dance studios which offer breakdancing classes. It’s never a bad idea to begin a difficult form of dance with a professional teacher.
Listen to Hip Hop. Breaking isn't just an isolated form of dance. It's one of the four elements of hip hop and part of a broader culture. You'll appreciate breaking that much more if you understand where it comes from.

How to Do a Backspin

The backspin is a breakdancing classic. If you grew up in the early 80s, you may have tried it a few times on your own piece of cardboard. The spin is all about the momentum you gain by whipping your legs into the spin and slowly drawing them in towards your body.

Sit on the floor.
Open your legs out in front of you as though you're getting ready to stretch or do a center split.
Swing your right leg with as much power as you can over your left leg.
- This whipping motion of the right leg is what gives you the momentum to start your spin.
As your right leg comes around, go down to your back.
- Don't spin on your lower back. Spin closer to the area between your shoulder blades. You want to keep your hips lifted off the floor.
The left leg catches up and comes together with the right leg. As you start to spin, draw your legs and arms slowly in.